Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-26

4 Grand oEeanizat1on
The State Grange has Just closed it, four
seenth annual session At 6kovhesan, and
never perhaps has there been % larse,
harmonious and successful meeting Of the
grange since ii was Organized - this one
lust held The attendance was large from
quite distant parts Of the State, Aroostook,
York, Franklin, Cumberland and Knox
counties being we'll represented Prominent
members of the Order were present, men
who are not only well known a. agriculturists
but a. business men, and were occupying
leading positions in their several counties.
1t is well understood in the Order that
elections of officers in this body occur BIZ
ennially-the session just held being a
| meeting for election of officers, and such
meetings call out larger attendance, gener-
ally, than those at which elections do not
occur.
1t appears to US quite remarkable that the
State Master, Hon. Frederick ROBBIE, should
again be reelected for another term of two
years. We say remarkable when it is under
stood that the regular term is two years, and
that Ex-Governor ROBBIE is just entering up
on his seventh year of continuous service as
head of this body of intelligent, progressive
farmers. 1t shows his popularity and the
loyalty of the support accorded to him. But
Mr.. Robbie is thoroughly interested in all
I -, FL.
his addresses-which we think sometimes
rather too lepgthy-are not only statesman
like in diction, but eminently practical. They
deal with live and practical matters in a way
which shows complete familiarity with oxen
and blowing, and all the work of the farm
and the farm home. Moreover they dran.
Coburn Hall in which the meeting at Show
hogan was held is large one, capable
of seating fully twelve hundred people, and
it was completely filled-it having been an
nounced that the address would be open to
the public IL was a production worthy of
| the Ex-Governor of our splendid State, and
| contained matters of great Importance, some
of which are now agitaiing the public mind in
State and nation.
Changers proverbially go in for ''good
| time" at any and all of their meetings, wheth-
er State or otherwise, and the one just held
was no exception. The Patrons" and their
wives made the most Of the opportunities af-
forded by the meeting for social intercourse,
general improvement and exchange of kindly
greetings. But this was not all. Weighty
questions were introduced for consideration
and were considered either by report, resolu-
ton or discussion. Among them were the
following: Education, interstate relations,
transportation, the State college, cO-opera-
ton, patent rights, fire insurance, for
estry. Home entertainments and amuse-
ments, children's day. Reading and course
of study, Arbor Day. Grange festivals and
and cattle yards for the Maine cattle shipping
trade. Many of these subjects were treated
in quite elaborate reports, which for good
argument, solid reasoning and good thoughts
well expressed, received high commentator.
Another thing which is noticeable is, that
these subjects show the range and variety of
subjects in which our granger farmers are
interested, and are considering in their subor-
dinate and general oranges Take any one
of the above subjects and body of farm
ers and their wives cannot discuss them in
their meetings without being broadened, ed
ucated and improved by such discussion.
Again, think a moment of the good work
being done by the grange institution
through its subordinate lodges in an educa-
tional point of view, in the work of educating,
refining and preparing for life-work. Chill
dren are coming up in the grange and are be-
ing educated by itin good morals correct de-
pertinent and habits of self possession,
economy and thrift. The grange has its fire
and life insurance societies, it provides for
summer festivals and winter amusements and
entertainments, in the home and at the Grange
hall 1t holds courses of lectures, and now
through new committee, is to undertake a
winter course of home reading and study
similar to the Chautauqua reading circles.
Upon such important subjects as the Inter
state commerce bill. the management Of our
State college, the holding of agricultural
fair. The establishment of cattle
yards, and upon other subjects
affecting the agricultural welfare of the
State-the members of the grange take q
widereaching and lively interest In fact,
we think we are justified in saying that no
organization of an agricultural nature-judg-
ing from what we can learn and see of the
working of this ORDERS doing so much for
the benefit of our State agriculture and the
education of the farmers family, as the as
ISOLATION of Patrons of Husbandry Wisely
administered in the future, we see nothing to
prevent most noble work for it to accom-
plish. Let it but keep to its own legitimate
sphere and the good it can surely perform is
almost incalculable.